Fate || BENNIFER

Under The Tree

Jennifer's P.O.V

The soft rays of the winter sun gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Ben and I lay nestled under the cozy covers, our breathing deep and hitched, lost in the little moment of privacy. We were tangled in each other's arms, our bodies pressed together in a sweet and sensual embrace. I traced circles on Ben's chest, my touch featherlight and filled with affection. His fingertips gently caressed my back, tracing the curve of my spine as we reveled in the intimacy of the moment. The air was filled with a sense of tranquility and love.

Just as we were lost in our own world, the silence was broken by a chorus of excited giggles and hushed whispers outside our bedroom door. The sound of tiny footsteps pattering down the hallway grew louder. Ben and I exchanged a knowing smile, our peaceful interlude interrupted by the eager anticipation of our children. We reluctantly disentangled ourselves from each other's embrace, our laughter lingering in the air.

As the door swung open, our children burst into the room like a whirlwind of joy and excitement. We sat up, our expressions a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Wake up!" Violet's voice filled with excitement, Sam was in her arms.

"Santa came!" Max exclaimed.

Seraphina and Emme joined in, their voices overlapping.

"Look at all the presents!" Emme shouted, pointing outside the room.

"Can we open them now?" Sera asked.

Ben and I exchanged a glance as we laughed, realizing that our moment would have to wait a little longer. Gently, we untangled ourselves from the cozy blankets, our bodies still tingling with the warmth of our embrace.

"Alright, alright." Ben chuckled. "Let's go downstairs and see what Santa left for us."

They squealed with delight, their excitement contagious. As I tiptoed into the nursery, my eyes fell upon Grace, nestled peacefully in her crib. I gently scooped her up, cradling her close to my chest. She stirred, her tiny fingers curling around my thumb, and I softly kissed her forehead. I couldn't believe she was already three months old.

"It's your first Christmas." I whispered, my voice filled with tenderness.

With Grace in my arms, I made my way downstairs, following the sounds of laughter and excitement. The children had gathered around the Christmas tree, their eyes wide with wonder.

My heart swelled with love as I watched Ben kneeling beside our kids to help them tear open their presents. I was rocking our daughter in my arms, but I couldn't help but intervene occasionally. Grace's arrival had brought an extra dose of magic to our lives, and I couldn't have asked for a greater gift.

The room was filled with the joyful chaos of children playing with their newly unwrapped presents. I walked slowly to the bassinet by the couch, and I gently placed Grace inside, ensuring that she didn't wake up.

"There's one more present under the tree." Ben said as I turned around.

I followed Ben's gaze towards the Christmas tree. Kneeling down, I reached under the branches and felt my fingers brush against something small. I couldn't help but smile like a fool. In my hands, I found a small black box, it wasn't wrapped or adorned. Its simplicity intrigued me, and I felt my pulse quicken. With trembling hands, I stood up, clutching at the box tightly. I turned to face Ben, my eyes searching for answers, but instead, I found him kneeling beside me, a knee resting on the floor.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized the significance of the moment. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but my eyes remained locked with Ben's, as he was looking up at me with the biggest smile. He gently took the box from my trembling hands and opened it, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring.

"Jennifer, our story has been anything but conventional." His voice was filled vulnerability.

I chuckled, my eyes welling up.

"From that day in the elevator, our lives have been intertwined in the most extraordinary way." He continued. "When you told me you were carrying our child, it was as if fate had intervened, giving us a second chance at love. That beautiful baby joined us on this journey, and together we embraced the challenges and celebrated the joys of a blended family. And now, almost a year later, I stand here before you, unable to contain the overwhelming love I feel for you."

My breath caught in my throat as I listened to his heartfelt words.

"Jennifer, I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you, to wake up every morning by your side, and to cherish each moment together as we continue to grow as a family." He took a deep breath. "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?"

Tears streamed down my cheek as I nodded, unable to find my voice. I knelt down in front of him, my hands reaching out to cup his face.

"Yes, Ben. Yes, yes, yes." My voice quivered with pure happiness as I leaned in, our lips meeting in a tender, love-filled kiss.

I beamed with joy as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there. We remained on the floor as our lips met in a passionate kiss. The room seemed to spin as we succumbed to the intensity of the moment, our bodies sinking into the plush carpet beneath us. Breaking the kiss, we opened our eyes to find our children joining us on the floor. We reached out our arms, welcoming them into the embrace, creating a beautiful tangle of love on the floor.